Guys and Gals here is some truth

There is always a heavy spirit pressing me to move forward even though it is often like how Paul was prevented from entering certain regions. So sometimes life can get tedious in the mundane flow of work then Sunday where we are called to serve but I lack the energy.

I can rationalize the worthiness of each cause but the emotions often do not fit the rationality. For example, my job pays my bills, feeds my family, etc but I often get the feeling of imprisonment. It would be nice to not get drained of energy and battle chronic pain throughout the week and then have the energy to get involved in ministry like I want to.

You try to bring the gospel to the job but so often it feels like it goes on deaf ears. At the end of the day it is still business and we all are replaceable.

But I'm seeing something maybe changing in a few years. Wife going to school to be a RN nurse which is a 2 year degree. I could claim the early retirement at 15 years (full retirement is at 20) I wont see it until my 60s though. It wouldn't be much but then I could transition into ministry where I can put more of my time, energy and focus.

Very true, I am testing the soil. It is too soon for me to make a wise judgment.

I know for me personally i would love to be able to go to a church but in my current living situation that isn't possible i am pretty much in isolation as far as that goes but perhaps one day i will find one that will feel like home but i also know that there are many different types of churches out there that may or may not fit different people as we all are not the same. Each flower is different and requires different kinds of care to flourish correctly so the soil also requires to be different as there is different types of soil as well that each flower requires. I do hope that you find a good church to be in though even if not this one

Its been my experience in talking to people about this same situation is that they seek a church to find jesus in it.
My advice to them is bring him with you. Stop looking for the wrongs and see what is right.
Your mature enough to know false teaching and doctrine. The praise band may not be to your liking, is there really a ploy on emotions for tithing .
Im sure there are brothers and sisters in there that need you as much as you need them.
Be friendly and honest. Tell the pastor of your concerns.

It would seem that you are not in the right place. Keep searching and praying and asking the Lord to lead you to a conservative Gospel church which tries to follow the New Testament pattern. You may even have to travel some distance, but that should be a secondary consideration.

This stood out to me very much yesterday, and upon waking up was immediately in my mind. This is why I asked if this particular church already has slid down the slope so far that they have women clergy.

A pastor who uses a modern version has compromised the truth and will continue to comprise the truth in order not to be labeled “one of those churches.” For the love of money is the root of all evil.

Very true. I have spoken to the pastor about some of my concerns. Mostly within the area of healing or spiritual gifts. They talk a lot about them and I wanted to see and experience the works of the gifts that my old church never practiced publicly. (Gifts of healing, tongues, prophecy) I wanted to gain the real life knowledge to match my theological understanding.

Thank you
I will take your thoughts into careful consideration.

They have women in leadership who sometimes preach but the main pastor is male.

Yea that makes sense. Well, the good news here is your investigation is quite complete. The bad news is, they are most certainly in league with the Devil. This does not mean there is any fault in you of course, abandon them most quickly, do not look back.

Psa 77:1 To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.
Psa 77:2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
Psa 77:3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
Psa 77:4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
Psa 77:5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
Psa 77:6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
Psa 77:7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
Psa 77:8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
Psa 77:9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
Psa 77:10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
Psa 77:11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
Psa 77:12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
Psa 77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
Psa 77:14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
Psa 77:15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
Psa 77:16 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.
Psa 77:17 The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.
Psa 77:18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
Psa 77:19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
Psa 77:20 Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

24/7 life isn't made by hands that entertains flesh for approvable seen and heard requirments, the better advice is search for Christ in yourself 24/7 doesn't need proper buildings with male and female acting, and waiting for christ to show up outside yourself is a Sunday hope. Bars are as holy as hand-built churches with limited grace and mercy can't overcome devils nor satan fear masters.
2Cor 13:5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Im just going to ramble a little here.
I attended a church where i saw the same 3 people go up for alter call for salvation each week.
Whan i found out they were elders and a deacon i said to myself boy is this church in trouble.
When i approached them on the matter they smiled. They explained that some people are shy to go forwards if they see they are not alone more will feel at ease to come forward......lesson learned. Spirit willing flesh weak.

Heard a sermon one time of works equal salvation. I was fit to be tied. Had my sword a rattling.
At the end of the sermon the pastor looked straight at the congregation and told them they been deceived.
His point was to be a berean dont trust what they hear even if its the pastor teaching.

My point is i see alot of saints put a church under a microscope. Looking for fault rather than truth.
JESUS SAID...where 2 or 3 gather in my name there am i in the midst.
From the laying of hands to a spoken word from the touch of his garment to mud made of spit jesus healed.
This is the Jesus i bring with me. Nothing is impossible for my God.
If the example is not set then set the example humbly. With love for the saints and sinners.
Be willing to teach but also to be taught for you do not know where the spirit comes or where it goes.
We are called to fellowship we are also called to serve.

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:31-32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

in league with the devil because women speak in church ?

amen maybe sometimes we’re in a place that doesn’t seem on fire for the lord , but maybe it’s that we are the intended spark to light them ablaze

Well, for holding offices, though you also make a fair point, for they should really keep silent and ask their husbands at home for the husband has the authority.

Precious friend, A Very Warm Welcome to Chat.

Please Be Very RICHLY Encouraged, Enlightened, Exhorted, And Edified In
The LORD JESUS CHRIST, And In His Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided!
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Q: Would this not be the Doctrinal Criteria for finding a "home-church"?

GRACE And Peace...